Influence of using disposable diapers on pediatric bladder and bowel dysfunction morbidity and factorial analysis

Objective To explore the effect of using disposable diaper (DD) on the prevalence of pediatric bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) and analyze the relevant-factors. Methods From March 2017 to September 2017, 37 primary schools and kindergartens were randomly selected from the municipalities of Shenzhen, Xiamen and Zhengzhou. An anonymous epidemiological survey of using DD from birth and status of voiding and defecation was conducted for 8950 children aged 2 to 8 years. The number of surveyed students was over 200 at each institution. A retrospective survey was conducted by parents recalling past events and filling out questionnaires. For ensuring the accuracy of questionnaires, the investigators were specially pre-trained. The main contents of questionnaire include general profiles, whether using DD from birth, age of stopped using DD, duration of daily use (full-day or night-only use), start time of elimination communication (EC) (including potting training, assistant infant's toilet training), whether current status of voiding and defecation fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for BBD and presence or absence of organic diseases affecting voiding and defecation. Results A total of 8026 valid questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Statistical analysis of t-test and chi-square test indicated that the overall prevalence of BBD in children surveyed was 2.73% and the prevalence of BBD declined with advancing age from 4.89% at age 2 to 0.85% at age 8 (P 1, P<0.05). Starting toilet training within 6 months was a protective factor for childhood BBD (OR<1, P<0.05). Conclusions Rational usage of DD and early start of EC are effective for preventing BBD in children. Key words: Disposable diapers; Bladder and bowel dysfunction; Child; Elimination communication